MAM-A - HPS Government Relations Program Centennial Ballroom 300A 09:30 - 11:15
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| Chair(s): Craig Little
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MAM-A.1
09:30 Interacting with Federal Agencies and Congress: The HPS Government Relations Program CA Little*, HPS
Abstract: The Health Physics Society’s (HPS) Government Relations Program (GRP) functions to allow communication possible between the HPS, federal agencies, Congress and selected non-governmental organizations. Topics of interest include regulation and legislation related to rules or funding for radiation protection of workers, the public and the environment. The GRP has three parts: The Federal Agency Liaison (FAL), the Congressional Liaison (CL) and the Government Relations Committee (GRC). Under the direction of the HPS Board of Directors and in concert with the HPS Strategic Plan, the three entities work together to give HPS a voice in Washington by commenting on proposed regulatory changes and upcoming legislation of interest to HPS. The FAL is responsible for keeping abreast of potential changes in regulations as well as tracking legislation that might impact the health physics profession and funding for health physics education and research. Pre-pandemic, the CL and the FAL schedule semiannual visits to Washington to meet with selected agencies and congressional staff. The pandemic has made those trips impossible for the last year, but interactions have still continued. The presentation describes the organization of the GRP, recent successes in championing legislation and continuing relationships with various agencies and congressional committees.
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MAM-A.2
09:45 HPS Government Relations Committee Activities JP Ring*, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Abstract: The Health Physics Society’s Government Relations Committee reviews and comments on regulations and legislation affecting the health physics community. The goal is to have the HPS recognized as an independent, professional, and expert information source on radiological sciences and radiation safety. The intent is to have legislation, regulations, and public policies based on current, sound science and good radiation safety practices.
With the involvement of the Society’s members, health physicists from a variety of backgrounds collaborate to develop a position on pending regulatory action or in response to a request for assistance. This presentation provides an overview of comment process and the Society’s effort to prepare a response. This process benefits the Society, regulator and member by bringing together individuals with different viewpoints and expertise to prepare the comment. This results in a strong comment based on experience while advancing the member’s professional development. The Society and comment process benefits from the group’s collective experience and helps the HPS reach its Mission of excellence in the science and practice of radiation safety.
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MAM-A.3
10:00 DOE Domestic and International Health Studies I Al-Nabulsi*, DOE
Abstract: The paper will discuss the mission of the the United States Department of Energy (DOE) domestic and international health studies and describe the programs that were put in place to determine the health effects from exposure to ionizing radiation. The information from these studies is used to protect and promote the health of DOE workers and provided to national and international authorities that develop standards for exposure to ionizing radiation.
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MAM-A.4
10:15 NRC’s University Nuclear Leadership Program S Coffin*, US NRC
; N Hebron-Isreal, US NRC
Abstract: With radiation protection as a common goal, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) works closely with the Health Physics Society (HPS) on matters related to radiological protection, regulatory issues, and continued funding of NRC’s grant program. The HPS is very active in its efforts to keep the Grant Program funded to help provide a health physics professional workforce.
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss NRC’s Grant Program─the University Nuclear Leadership Program (formerly the Integrated University Program). Funding under this program includes support for education in nuclear science and engineering to develop a workforce capable of the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials to benefit the NRC as well as the nuclear safety and security sector broadly. The different types of available grants and scholarships will be presented as well as the process by which the HPS and NRC continue engagement on the University Nuclear Leadership Program.
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MAM-A.5
10:30 Health Physicist: The Next Generation, Building Capacity for our Radiation Protection Future at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission T Clark*, US NRC
Abstract: Due to growing needs and large amounts of experienced staff retiring or leaving the field, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is working hard to keep our capacity in radiation protection staff and abilities.
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the efforts the NRC is taking to keep and enhance our radiation protection skills and staff. The NRC will discuss the difficulties we have with current health physics staffing and our efforts to hire, retain and develop health physicists for jobs at the NRC and elsewhere. We will also discuss efforts to collaborate and partner with other groups such as International Atomic Energy Agency, the Health Physics Society, and Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors to strengthen the radiation protection capabilities at the NRC and nationwide.
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MAM-A.6
10:45 An Overview of the 2022 OSTP Recommendations for Coordinating Radiation Biology Research MA Boyd*, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract: In January 2022, the Physical Sciences Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Science released a report titled, Radiation Biology: A Response to the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. The report makes recommendations for coordinating the efforts of ten federal agencies related to radiation biology research with special emphasis on studying the effects of low dose and low dose rate exposures to ionizing radiation. The report lists recent advances in genomic science, improved computational tools for assessing large datasets, and the availability of more extensive epidemiological studies as some of the reasons for federal agencies to undertake or fund new research. It emphasizes the need to cooperate with ongoing international research platforms to share data and help identify research gaps. The report proposes an interagency coordinating group, perhaps organized under the Physical Sciences Subcommittee, that would set clear research goals, identify targeted research objectives necessary for meeting those goals, and look beyond the mission-focused research needs of any individual agency. These recommendations lay the foundation for a more structured and somewhat global approach for achieving a better understanding of the biological effects of low dose radiation. Through its Government Relations Program, the Health Physics Society is well positioned to continue as a vital partner and stakeholder in this effort.
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MAM-A.7
11:00 HPS and DC: The HPS Government Relations Program DA Connolly*, HPS
Abstract: The legislative program of the Health Physics Society is designed to allow Society representatives the opportunity to interact with Senators, Representatives, their staffs and those of the Committees of each body on matters of mutual interest to the Society and the Congress relating to radiation safety. After a brief overview of the structure of the two chambers of the Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives, a description will be given as to the means and techniques that the Society utilizes to communicate with them. The presentation will focus on the semi-annual meetings of the Society’s leadership team on Capitol Hill, and the day-to-day activities of the Congressional Liaison in maintain open lines of communication with the Congress even during COVID. Finally, a number of the present issue areas of importance to the Society will be examined along with a prediction about the future of science policy in the Biden Administration and the Congress.
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